More than 70 students, academic staff and coordinators from across the ACE²-EU Alliance joined Virtual Coffee #31, an online preparatory session hosted by Constantin Brâncuși University of Târgu Jiu, Romania, ahead of the Kaleidoscope Festival 2026 – “100 Voices, One Future.”
The approximately 50-minute session brought together the host institution and delegations from ACE²-EU partner universities to prepare for the festival, which will take place from 28 to 30 October 2026 in Târgu Jiu.
The meeting focused on ensuring that incoming participants have the practical information they need before travelling to Romania, while also offering a first look at three days dedicated to creativity, intercultural exchange, collaboration and student engagement.
Preparing for the journey to Târgu Jiu
Participants received practical guidance covering key aspects of their upcoming stay, including travel arrangements, accommodation, meals, finances and connectivity.
The session also gave students and coordinators the opportunity to better understand what to expect upon arrival and to begin preparing for the activities and presentations in which they will participate.
Beyond logistics, Virtual Coffee #31 offered an overview of the Kaleidoscope Festival programme and highlighted the many opportunities participants will have to work together, exchange ideas and experience the cultural diversity of the ACE²-EU community.
Three days of creativity, culture and collaboration
The first day of the festival will welcome participants with registration, opening remarks and interactive activities designed to bring the international community together. The programme will continue with the Student Innovation Lab and the launch of the Digital Storytelling Challenge, before moving into the Kaleidoscope of Culture Showcase and an evening programme.
On the second day, creativity and cultural exchange will take centre stage through energising activities, a T-shirt and souvenir-making lab, opportunities to explore Târgu Jiu, a theatre performance by the Spanish delegation and a special guest talk focusing on culture, diversity and wellbeing. Participants will also continue working on their films, explore an engineering exhibition and come together for a masquerade ball and live pop-rock performances.
The final day will be dedicated to sharing the results of the students’ creative work. Films produced during the festival will be screened and voted on across nine award categories, followed by reflection activities and the closing ACE Gala, where the top films will be recognised.
The programme will extend beyond the university and into the city, with an exhibition and activities celebrating the legacy of world-renowned sculptor Constantin Brâncuși, before concluding with a classical music concert.
Six international teams, six perspectives on Europe
One of the central activities of Kaleidoscope Festival 2026 will be the Filmmaking Competition, bringing students together in six international teams.
Each team will explore a theme connected to Europe’s present and future:
- Green Europe
- Digital Europe
- Inclusive Europe
- Connected Europe
- Creative Europe
- Resilient Europe
Supported by a specialist mentoring team from the Latvian Academy, participants will transform their ideas into short films during the festival. Their work will then be presented and recognised across nine award categories, including Best Director, Best Movie and Best Sound.
The competition will encourage students from different countries and academic backgrounds to combine their perspectives, creativity and skills while reflecting on shared European challenges and aspirations.
Student ideas at the centre of the Innovation Lab
Virtual Coffee #31 also introduced participants to the Student Innovation Lab, another important component of the festival.
The Lab has already received eight proposals from four countries: one from Latvia, two from Poland, three from Austria and two from Germany. Each participating team will have a 7–8-minute presentation slot to share its proposal with the international audience.
The activity will provide a platform for students to present ideas, exchange perspectives and learn from initiatives developed across the Alliance.
From Virtual Coffee to “100 Voices, One Future”
With more than 70 participants joining the online session, Virtual Coffee #31 provided an important first meeting point before the ACE²-EU community gathers in Târgu Jiu.
For three days, students and staff from across the Alliance will share much more than a festival programme. Through filmmaking, innovation, performances, cultural activities and informal encounters, they will have the opportunity to create together, discover different perspectives and build connections across countries and disciplines.
Virtual Coffee #31 helped set the stage. Next stop: Târgu Jiu, where 100 voices will come together to shape one shared future.
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☕🎭 Virtual Coffee #31 | Getting ready for Kaleidoscope Festival 2026!
More than 70 students, staff and coordinators from across the ACE²-EU Alliance joined our latest Virtual Coffee, hosted by Constantin Brâncuși University of Târgu Jiu, ahead of the Kaleidoscope Festival 2026 – “100 Voices, One Future”, taking place from 28–30 October in Târgu Jiu, Romania. 🇷🇴
During the 50-minute session, participants received practical information about travel, accommodation, meals, finances and connectivity, while also discovering what awaits them during three exciting days of creativity, culture, innovation and international collaboration. 🌍✨
🎬 A special focus was placed on the Filmmaking Competition, which will bring students together in six international teams exploring six perspectives on Europe: Green, Digital, Inclusive, Connected, Creative and Resilient Europe.
💡 Participants also learned more about the Student Innovation Lab, which has already received eight student proposals from Latvia, Poland, Austria and Germany.
From the first online preparations to three days of shared experiences in Târgu Jiu, 100 voices are getting ready to create one future! 💫
#ACE2EU #Kaleidoscope2026 #100VoicesOneFuture #VirtualCoffee #TarguJiu #StudentMobility #EuropeanUniversities